The regulator said Tuesday that recent studies show any combination of aliskiren, a renin inhibitor, and two other classes of drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), can be risky.

Any combination of three types of blood pressure medicines increases the risk of low blood pressure and other health problems, Health Canada says. (Eric Risberg/Associated Press)

"Recent studies have demonstrated that any combination of aliskiren, ACEIs or ARBs increases the risks of hypotension (low blood pressure), hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood) and kidney problems," Health Canada said in a notice to health professionals and patients.

The department added that aliskiren should not be taken in combination with ACEIs or with ARBs in patients with diabetes or kidney disease because of their additional risks of stroke and syncope or fainting.